Merry-go-round for playgrounds and the like



R. L. PRoPsT 2,848,231

MERRY-Go-ROUND Foa PLAYGRoUNDs AND 'rx-1E LIKE Aug. 19, 1958 Filed Aug.8, 1956 IN V EN TOR. ROBERT L PRO/J5 r United States PatentMERRY-GO-ROUND FOR PLAYGROUNDS AND VTHE LIKE i Robert L'. Propst,Englewood, Colo., assignor to Beauty Products, Ltd., Denver, Colo., acorporation of Colorado Application August 8, 1956, Serial No. 602,753

7 Claims. (Cl. 272-42) This invention relates to playground equipment,and more `particularly to elevating vmerry-gO-rounds.

For many years merry-go-rounds have been known which-providea `framemountedon'an upright pole for bothV rotational and upward -and downwardmovement relative thereto. Ther frame is `customarily suspended from-thetop of the pole by a plurality of angularly spaced ropes or the likewhich twist around the pole and raise the frame as it is rotated. TheseVdeviceshave enjoyed little commercial success or public acceptance',however, because -of` certain structural limitations that vrender themquite 1ditlicult for children toy use.

Among these -limitations is the fact that the conventionalmerry-go-roundof this type employs only arsingle ring-like-frame which becomeselevated so rapidly as the ropes twistaroundl the pole that the childrencan no longer impart the required rotational momentum thereto. Or,inother wordsfthe'frame rises up the pole so fast that thelchildrensfeet leavev'the ground before they' can get the frame rotating rapidly.Moving the ring closer to theground is of little help in solving -thisvproblem as a ring or-frarne mounted low to the vground often causes thechildren to trip and fall as they run to get it Istarted and may resultin serious injury.

Another -problem associated with the prior artl designs is'fthat it isextremely difiicult to get'the ring or-frame rotating afterit hascometorest.l This results because the'weight of the frame and the downwardforceexerted thereonibylthe children-as they attempt to rotate it are indirect ropposition to the `forces` required totwist the ropes 'aroundthe pole andlift theframe.- `Asthe'ropes twistabout` the pole and thelframebecomeselevated, Y

the downward pull on the frame bythe childrenincreases andactsi tounwind rather than-wind the ropes about'thev polen. Obviously, this factquickly slows down `therotation'fof the frame,l causes itV to stop andbegin rotating inrfthe opposite direction -beforethe-intended elevationof 'ith'e i frame I has been' realized.

It has now been found, however, in accordancewith the: presentinvention, that theforegoing problems 'canbe overcomeV by incorporatingcertain` improved features that-.permitthechildren to take advantage ofcentrifugal force to `aid them in realizing the full potentialities ofan elevating merry-go-round. In addition, the improved merry-'go-rounddescribed and claimed herein embodies a.noveli^bearing between thevframeand pole which eliminates the possibilityof a child being injuredy byplacing his'. hand on the bearing while the frame is rotating.

It `is,'-therefore, the principaly object of the present in-` vention toprovide an improved elevating merry-go-round whichis considerably easierto start than those heretofore known,- whichVv permits higher rotationalspeeds to be attained and which permits children of various sizes toenjoy the device.

Still a further object is to provide a merry-go-round of the typedescribed wherein there is provided a lost motion connection between theframe and pole whereby the frame may berotated a complete revolutionrelative to 2,848,231 Patented Aug. 19, 1958 21 the pole before theropesor connectors begin to wind on the pole and raise the'tframe.

Another object Iof theinvention is to provide an irnproved safetybearing between the frame Iand pole.v

Additional objects *of the invention are to provide an lelevating-merry-go-round which is simple, relatively inexpensive, rugged, safeand'easy to use.

The construction designed to carry `out the inven tion will behereinafter described, together with other features thereof, and willbemore readily understood from a reading of the following specificationand by reference to the accompanying drawings forming apart thereofwherein an example of the invention is shown andY wherein:

Figure lis an elevation showing-thefimproved-elevating merry-go-round ofthe present invention;

Figure 2 is a'section taken along line 2--2 of'Figure 1 showing thebearing detail to an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a top planview of they merry-go-round;

Figure 4 is a section taken along line 4 4 of Figure l; and f Figure-5is anv enlarged diametrical section illustrating i a modified `form ofhubembodying a lost motion con-v nection.

Referring now in particular to'Figure A1 of the draw-V ing,` thevimproved elevating merry-go-round of the present` inventionwillbe'seento comprise a frame, indicated in a generalway bynumeral 10,"mounted on'an upright` polei 12forboth rotational and'upward anddownward movem'ent'relative thereto,and'a'plurality of angularlyspaced'` flexible connectors 1141 byfwhich 'A the framefis` suspendedfrom the top of the pole. The pole 12 is pref-' erably setinka concretebase A16-which is in turnset into the ground 1 8 with the poleprojecting upwardly therefrom'lsubs'tantially vertically. The pole'risesseveral feet above-:ground level and is provided with `a cap 20 on the iupperffend-l thereof. Alplu'rality offupturned hooks 22,' oneforeachconnector; are welded or-otherwise permaf nently :attached `tothel capf inequia'ngularly .spacedr relai tion; TheY upper end of eachconnector '-14, -a chain in the particular: embodiment illustrate'd,`is'connected'fto `a hook andhangs vdownwardly therefrom.' Five *flexible*con-g nectors have been *shownyalthoughas few as theelmay' be used. n

In Figures rl; 3 .andf4rthe-'franiey10 willbelseen tocompriseialargelring 124; a smallfring 26,abearing '28,? andistruts30iandj32-uy Thelbearin'g 28 :"is-'journaled'fonr rotation "'onpolei112,' asl well as `upward Yand'l 7downward l slidable` :movementrelative thereto andwillbe described 7" in fdetail in' connection 'withFigure" 42 of the drawing.Y Largefzringf24 vis mOunte'dIin concentricirelation aboutY the: pole and .isattached toi the bearingfor-conjoint'r'rA tationfby` radial.`strutsi30;I-ve' ofwhichare shown@Tli f struts I.are preferably inclinedfupwardlyin the marinera indicatedwhich-places thelargezringrin a substantially," horizontal 'plane abovethe bearing. 'Ihe',-smaller .fringe 26.is mounted in spacedconcentricfrelation beneath; th'ew large ringiand is. supported-byl stubvstruts v32 extendingi between lthe `small ring-andstruts'-30.-Vv The,-large-ring; 24 is' provided with semi-circular-metal elements 34,17shown in Figure 3, weldedto the -ringlat thewpointssof attachmentoflstrutsSlO'...flfherlowerrends of the llexiblery connectors 14 areattachedto.elements-.3LI

As indicated by dotted vlines.,inl;`igu1"e.11,4 thetframe w will riseonthe'pole when-.rotatedasfthe connectors,.14ff

provision of two vertically spaced rings in the frame. The large ringislocated a convenient distance above ground level, when the connectorsare fully extended as shown by full lines in Figure l, to be grasped forimparting the initial rotary motion to the frame in the conventionalmanner. Generally, however, the large ring will be elevated to a heightwhere the childrens feet begin to leave the ground before the desiredspeed of rotation necessary to raise the ring to the top lOf the pole isattained. At this point the second or small ring has become elevated toa height above the ground Where it can be conveniently grasped and usedas a means for producing the additional rotational speed required toaccomplish the desired elevation of the frame. Thus, the provision ofthe second ring below the first enables the frame to be rotated andelevated in two stages, thereby permitting higher rotational speeds tobe attained which, by reason of centrifugal force, will cause the frameto rise higher upon the pole. An added feature of the second ring andthe reason for its being somewhat smaller is that it permits the youngerchildren to enjoy the device and play on it at the same time it is beingused by older children.

Now referring to Figure 2 of the drawing, the novel construction of thebearing 28 will be described. The bearing comprises a tubular section 36mounted in concentric relation on the pole 12 and sized to provide anannular space 38 therebetween. A wooden ring 40 is positioned betweenthe outer surface of the pole and the inner surface of the tubularsection approximately midway between the end-s of said tube as shown.The wooden ring is attached to the tubular section by suitable fasteners42 and forms a bearing block in contact with the pole. The annular space38 between the pole and tube is sized to receive the hand of a childwithout being pinched or caught between the relatively movable parts.The portion of the tube projecting above and below the wooden ring issuch that it is extremely diicult for a child to reach his hand in farenough to contact the ring or bearing block where he could be seriouslyinjured. As a further precaution, the upper and lower ends of the tubeare closed by heavy rubber sealing members 44 that are bolted to thetube and extend across the annular space. This bearing structureprotects the children from painful injury should they attempt to placetheir hands in the bearing while the frame is revolving on the pole.

Another important feature of the instant device has been illustrated inFigure 5. In this slightly modified construction pole 12a is providedwith an upwardly projecting frusto-conical tip 46 terminating inathreaded section 48. Roller bearings 50 and 52 are mounted on thetapered surface of the tip in vertically spaced relation and modiiiedcap member 20a is mounted for rotation thereon. Cap 20a has an opening54 in its upper end sized to receive threaded section 48 and nut 56holds the cap in place on the tip. The cap 20a is hollow, open at thelower end, and provided with an annular shoulder 62 spaced below the top60. Roller bearing 52 rests against the shoulder which holds the top ofthe cap spaced 'above the upper end of the tip. A second shoulder 64 isformed inside the cap to rest upon lower roller bearing 50.

Integrally formed with the cap 20a is an annular ange or apron 66projecting laterally from the pole 12a. Eye bolts 68 are carried in theperiphery of the apron and function in the same manner as hooks 22 ofthe Figures 1 through 4 modification. The flange or apron also carries apin 70 adjacent the cap and positioned to engage stop 72 on the upperend of the pole upon relative rotation therebetween. Thus, the cap 20ais free to rotate relative to the pole 12a 1a maximum of one completerevolution before the pin 70 engages the stop 72. Essentially the cap,pin and stop function as a lost motion connection which permits theframe to be rotated a complete revolution relative to the pole beforethe connectors begin to wind on the pole and raise the frame. Hereagain, the lost motion connection provides a means by which the framemay be rotated fast enough to carry it to the top of the pole before thechildrens feet leave the ground. The most important advantage, however,is the fact that the lost motion connection enables the children to getthe frame started and rotating rather fast before the connectors beginto wind about the pole and create forces in direct opposition to theirefforts. Once started, it is relatively easy to keep the frame rotatingin spite of these opposing forces.

From the foregoing description of the several useful and novel featuresembodied in the improved elevating merry-go-round of the presentinvention it will be seen that the many objects for which it wasdesigned have been achieved. Although the invention has been describedin connection with the specific forms thereof illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, I realize that certain modifications may be madetherein by those skilled in the art without departing from the truenature thereof. Therefore, it is my intention that the scope ofprotection afforded herein shall be limited only insofar as saidlimitations are expressly set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In an elevating merry-go-round of the type including a stationaryupright pole, a frame mounted on the pole for both rotational and upwardand downward movement relative thereto, a member mounted at the top ofthe pole for relative rotation, and a plurality of angularly spacedflexible connectors suspending the frame from the pole, the improvementwhich comprises means interconnecting the member and the pole to permitlimited relative rotation therebetween in order to facilitate rotationof the frame, said interconnecting means comprising a part mounted formovement with the member and a part mounted on said pole, said partsbeing arranged to cooperate following the limited relative rotationwhereby the connectors will begin to wrap about the pole and elevate theframe.

2. Inan elevating merry-go-round of the type including an upright pole,a frame mounted on the pole for both rotational and upward and downwardmovement relative thereto, and a plurality of angularly spaced exibleconnectors suspending the frame from the pole, the improvement whichcomprises a cap mounted on the top of the pole for relative rotation,said cap having means depending therefrom for attaching the ilexibleconnectors and pin means mounted for conjoint rotation with said cap,and stop means depending from the pole positioned to engage the pinmeans on the cap and stop the relative rotational movement between saidcap and pole whereupon the exible connectors will begin to wrap aboutthe pole and elevate the frame after rotation thereof has begun.

3. In an elevating merry-go-round of the type including an uprightcylindrical pole, a frame mounted on the pole for both rotational andupward and downward movement relative thereto, and a plurality ofangularly spaced exible connectors suspending the frame from the pole,said connectors being arranged to wrap around the pole and elevate theframe upon rotation thereof, the improvement which comprises bearingmeans carried by the frame and journaled for rotation on the pole, saidmeans comprising a tubular member arranged in concentric relation on thepole and sized to provide an annular space therebetween and a ringattached inside the tubular member approximately midway between the endsthereof in contacting relation with the surface of the pole to form abearing block.

4. A device in accordance with claim 3 in which the upper and lower endsof the tubular member are enclosed by exible sealing members coveringthe annular space between the pole and Vtubular member.

5. A device in accordance with claim 3 in which the relative dimensionsof the pole and tubular member are such that the annular space formedtherebetween is sized to receive a childs hand without danger of itbeing squeezed between said pole and tubular member while being rotatedrelative to one another.

6. A device in accordance with claim 3 in which the length of thetubular section is such that the portions thereof extending above andbelow the ring will prevent a child from reaching his hand into theannular space a suicient distance to contact said ring.

7. In an elevating merry-go-round, an upright stationary pole, aplurality of angularly spaced exible connectors hanging from the top ofthe pole, and a frame mounted on the pole for both rotational and upwardand downward movement relative thereto, said frame having an upper ringattached to the lower ends of the exible connectors and a lower ringspaced below the upper ring movable conjointly therewith, said ringsbeing mounted in substantially concentric relation about the pole andmounted for rotation with respect to the pole, said upper ring providingmeans for rotating and elevating the frame by twisting the connectorsaround the pole and said lower ring providing means for continuingrotation of the frame after the upper ring has become elevated to thepoint Where it cannot be reached from the ground, said lower ring beingof a smaller diameter than the upper ring whereby the frame may berotated simultaneously by dilerent sized children, a cap member fromwhich said connectors hang mounted at the top of the pole for relativerotation, means interconnecting the member and the pole to permitlimited relative rotation therebetween in order to facilitate rotationof the frame, said interconnecting means comprising a part mounted formovement with the member and a part mounted on said pole, said partsbeing arranged to cooperate following the limited relative rotationwhereby the connectors will begin to Wrap about the pole and elevate theframe.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,044,391 Jones Nov. 12, 1912 1,186,185 Guinn June 6, 1916 1,331,206Morgan Feb. 17, 1920 1,406,412 Price Feb. 14, 1922 1,503,548 Moyer Aug.5, 1924 1,740,304 Hoppes Dec. 17, 1929 1,755,940 Watts Apr. 22, 19301,864,734 Hoppes June 28, 1932 1,985,497 Harris Dec. 25, 1934 2,646,281Hurst July 21, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 189,940 Great Britain Dec. 14, 1922

